Page 36 of Picking Daisies on Sundays

“Will Bella be there?” If I was going to go to this gala, then it would be for this deal, and this deal only, in order to get a grip on my sanity. I couldn’t convince myself that this was him asking me to be his date.

“She will,” he responded. The furrow of his brows made me realize he was going to ask why so I opened my mouth.

“Sounds like the perfect place to convince her that you’re in a committed relationship then.”

16

I think I’m falling

“Yes, Thursday works,” I responded over the phone.

“Have you thought more about my idea?” Ethan asked on the other side of the line.

With my phone wedged between my ear and shoulder, I collected my things around Daisy’s, knowing that Levi was going to be here any second.

“It just doesn’t feel right.” I had thought more over Ethan’s idea to include Mom’s maiden name in my grad applications and essay. But all I could hear was Levi’s reassurance in the back of my head that I could get in with my work.

Levi walked in as Ethan responded, but his words became background noise. Levi smiled this brilliant smile as he walked in, catching my attention. He had a different pair of glasses on today—wire frames and slightly circular. They held up a curl that’s brushing his forehead. A dark hoodie complements his denim jacket and black jeans. If I didn’t know him, I’d think he played in a band.

“Daniella? Did you hear what I said?” Ethan asked. I definitely did not just hear what he said because I was too focused on the model of a man that just walked in the door as if he was shirtless and pouring water over his chest.

“Yes, yes, sorry!” I held up my hand to Levi to give me a second. Rearranging the phone on my shoulder, I locked up the cash register, turned off the lights, confirmed that the floral fridges were plugged in, and grabbed my bags. “Could you repeat that, I think you cut out,” I told Ethan.

Levi attempted to take the bags off my shoulders as we left the store, but I pulled them back like a game of tug-a-war.

Give me the bags,he mouthed, trying to be quiet over my call as I locked the door to the flower shop.

I pulled the phone away from my ear, leaning towards him.“I can do it,”I whispered back with determination.

“Dani, is someone there?” Ethan asked with even more confusion.Crap. I looked up at Levi in panic but he was staring at my phone, offended.

“Um—no, no, sorry! I’m just...ringing up a customer!”

I wouldn’t be so stressed about where Ethan thought I was if it weren’t for the fact that I had canceled our advisor appointment to spend the day with Levi. He currently thought I canceled because I had to work.

I did have to work, just not during the time of our meeting... I practically had to beg for this call with him so there was no way he could know that I lied.

I shifted the phone away from my mouth and shouted across the street, “Enjoy the petunias, Marjorie!”

Levi burst out with laughter at my performance. He shoved a hand over his mouth, but it wasn’t enough to hide his wondrous smile. I whacked my hand against his shoulder to be quiet beforehe blew my cover.

He used it as his opportunity to pull the bags off my arms, knowing I couldn’t argue, and putting them in the car. One eye roll later and I followed him into the car.

Ethan sighed. “Daniella, I don’t just say yes to anyone for a meeting over the phone, you know how packed my schedule is.” The use of my full name gave me flashbacks to high school. Embarrassment filled my throat. “Why don’t we just have this conversation at my place tomorrow, that way there’s no interruptions.”

Guilt lingered in my sternum for canceling on him when he’s dedicated so much time to helping me. But my schedule was filled this week trying to finish my gowns and Levi’s suit. Finding time for another meeting would mean another all-nighter to finish my last two dresses. It’s not that I don’t trust him either—I wouldn’t be having this conversation with him if I thought he was secretly a murderer—I just didn’t have the time.

“I know, I feel terrible, I apologize. What about Thursday? I’ll be on campus all day,” I said with hope.

He audibly sighed, again. I hated this; I hated being an inconvenience. “Don’t think that I just do this for anyone, because I won’t offer this favor again, even for you.” His words were stern, but it sounded like he was smiling, so I let my shoulders sag with relief.

“You haveno ideahow much I appreciate it.”

“My office, 7PM.” And the call cut. Dropping my phone into

my lap, I leaned into the seat and closed my eyes. Talking to people was so draining, but over the phone, it was even worse.

A phone call with Ethan was often worse because he rushed through conversations like he was timing himself, never giving me a chance to prepare my responses.